







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | |
| Calm down dear, I don't think he realises what he says. | |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Do you have another one? | |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | |
| Not long, my lessons start at 12:30. | |
| Do you want me to call them? | |
| Do we have any bread to toast? | |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |